CHARLESTON — It wasn’t the ending Joshua Hill was hoping for, but he’ll take it and move on.
The Crete-Monee senior ended his high-school career by finishing third in the Class 3A triple jump on May 31 during the IHSA state finals at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Field.
Hill went 47 feet, 4.25 inches — the fifth-best effort in Illinois this season, according to the Athletic.net database.
Hill was one of three local placers, along with Illinois Lutheran’s Dawveed Holland in the 1A triple jump and Manteno’s Briggs Cann in the 2A 400 meters.
“These jumps (were) not up to my expectations,” Hill said. “I don’t take anything away from myself because I work hard. I do know that I can go further and I will go further. …
“This is a third-place medal, but it’s not a third place to me … because I did a lot to earn it. I appreciate all of my coaches. It gives me a lot of motivation because I know I’m better than this. Just work harder, get better results.”
Hill won long-jump and triple-jump titles at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships in March. The outdoor season didn’t go as well as he’d hoped.
“I didn’t qualify (for state) in long jump, (due to) it being cold and rainy at my sectional,” he said. “And I also couldn’t get on the board. And then (at state) I couldn’t get on the board in triple jump. But that just means I need to adjust my steps moving forward. And I need to get better, faster, stronger and just go for it.”
Holland finished fifth in the 1A triple jump at 44-4.75, becoming the Chargers’ first state placer.
“It feels good,” Holland said. “I wanted to be higher obviously, but God has blessed me a lot. I appreciate that.”
The junior made it to the 1A triple jump finals last year, finishing 12th. “This year I was like, ‘I’m gonna try to get top three, I’m gonna try to get top three.’ I got bumped off (that goal) after prelims, but I’m still grateful to get this.”
Holland has been long-jumping since he was 5, but just picked up the triple jump last year. “My first time ever doing it, I was like, ‘I like this.'”
He’s hoping to be back in 2026, along with some teammates.
“Hoping for a relay team next year,” Holland said. “We’re definitely coming up.”
Cann was ninth in the 2A 400 with a time of 51.28 seconds. The sophomore is looking forward to more opportunities to compete on EIU’s big blue track.
“I know I can run faster,” he said.
Cann posted his PR of 50.30 at the Pontiac Sectional on May 21.
“Today (at state) wasn’t my best race, but it’s not an excuse for me,” he said. “… Definitely gonna try to improve and take this as momentum for next year.”
One bright spot: Cann did move up from his state seeding.
“I’m a sophomore, I was ranked 10th and I finished ninth,” he said. “I’m proud of myself for that.”